ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Stepping on the field, linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali finally began putting behind the headlines he created with a sucker punch that broke the jaw of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith.

''Getting out there just cleared my mind,'' Enemkpali said following his Buffalo Bills' debut in a preseason-opening 25-24 loss to Carolina on Friday. ''The staff, coaches, players, the way they made me feel welcome, I can't ask for a better place to be at.''

Cut by the Jets on Tuesday, the second-year player was claimed by Buffalo a day later. He took the field with the second-string defense and made two tackles, one for a loss.

Without mentioning Smith by name, Enemkpali apologized for what happened in a brief statement Thursday.

Following the game, a Bills employee said Enemkpali stood by his statement when the player was asked if he intended to apologize to Smith.